Ch. 91..100

Chapter 0091

Once we get to school, you can feel the energy in the air. Something is different today. All the kids are buzzing about something. What could have happened in the last hour since training ended?

Kaley runs up to the twins who are leading our group up the wide path to school, and grabbing both by an arm.

"Oh. My. Goddess! Did you hear?" She punctuates every word. "The trials for Elite Warrior training are going to be at the end of this week. Isn't that so exciting? I heard the Alpha King himself is going to come down, since he heard so many great things about all of us from training yesterday."

“What did she mean by 'us?' She didn't actually do much of anything but parade around in her pink outfit.” Sierra whispers to me and we exchange an eye roll, but say nothing else.

"You guys have done such a great job training everyone and leading. I bet that's why he's really coming. He wants to see all the high ranking wolves in action. I can’t wait to sit next to you while our best warriors show off their skills.” She jumped up and kissed Cam on the cheek unexpectedly and turned toward Kota who stepped back knowing it was coming.

Cam looks like someone slapped him and he’s pissed. Kaley doesn’t seem to notice.

“We’ll see. Our parents usually have plans when we have guests. Not sure about what they will expect of us if the Alpha King is truly coming. This is the first we are hearing these rumors.” Always the diplomat, Cam.

“I’m sure they will expect the future alphas and their Luna as well as the rest of our future leaders to be present for all of it.” She looks around at the guys and giggles then playfully slaps him in the arm.

Oliver clears his throat. “We don’t know who our future Luna is, and I’m sure if the Alpha King wants people present he will let us know who will be allowed in his presence, I’m sure there are protocols

for that. We’re going to be late, let’s go.” He didn’t wait just stepped around Kaley and the rest of us followed without looking back. She didn't try to approach them when Sierra and I were around, for the rest of the day

Tuesday and Wednesday are a blur of activity. Training remains the same and the Elite Warriors end up sticking around because they are, in fact, running trials on Thursday and Friday. The school board decided to cancel regular classes after training Wednesday morning so our higher level students could spend time focusing on getting ready and the younger kids were just too wound up with excitement over the whole thing to focus. I trained like I normally do and the guys and Sierra grudgingly came along.

No one has confirmed whether or not the Alpha King is going to actually come, but the high school rumor mill spread that information like wildfire. The dance is also next Saturday night so there will be several things to celebrate. Which is our current topic of discussion.

We are all sitting at the diner, Martha bringing our usual meals. She always throws extra fries on my plate or brings me a milkshake, even when I don’t order one. Sam is still trying to get her to give him extras.

“We have to go as a group, it’s the only logical thing. No one takes a date to the spring dance because of the mating celebration, but I still want a reason to tell Marnie I can’t go with her.” We all laugh at Mateo. “She has told me twice a day, everyday, for two weeks what time to pick her up and what color shirt to wear so we match. This b*tch is crazy!”

“She’s going to have a rude awakening when she’s waiting and no one shows.” Sam laughs.

“Jeanie tried the same thing, but I shut her down and I blocked her, so if she’s tried since I have no idea.” Oliver shrugs his shoulders and lets out a huff that I think might have been a rare laugh.

“What about Kaley? Has she tried to rope the two of you into taking her?” Sierra asks the twins.

“She did, I told her we were taking Skylar.” Kota shrugs his shoulders. My eyes went wide.

“You what!?!” Now she really is going to try and kill me.

“Relax, it wasn’t a lie since we are all going together.”

“You know you need to put a protective detail on Sky now right?” Sierra looks between the two of them who look like they’ve been hit with a stupid stick. “I’m kind of joking, but kind of not. Kaley is willing to do anything to get close to the two of you including harming people. We’ve seen it.”

Chapter 0092

“Sky will be fine. She’s taken down pretty much everyone in the pack who can actually fight. I’m not worried about f*cking Kaley.” Kota finishes. He has no idea, it’s never Kaley who gets her hands dirty and they never come at me one at a time.

At least we don’t have school, that will help me avoid her. Although she has actually been coming to training every morning and dressed in workout gear. She doesn’t appear to do much, but she’s good at looking busy. We all leave looking like something the cat dragged in while she looks exactly as she showed up.

She won’t fool people for long. She’s trying to impress the Elite Warriors by pretending to be involved. We just need to keep our head down and make a good impression so they will take us next year. Then we can get away from her for a bit. I love that my wolf just gets me and knows what I need to hear.

“I know, I just hope that she doesn’t start bullying other kids while we are gone. She’s starting to get worse with her bow-to-me Luna tirades.”

“Hey Shorty, where’d you go?” Mateo looks at me, concern clouding his eyes. “You know we won’t let anything happen to you, right?” This comment, of course, gets the attention of the others.

“It’s not me who needs protection.” I move to get up, annoyed that they are so short sided still, even after what I told them about the bullying in school. I take the bullying so no one else has to. And I have told all the kids not to fight on school grounds since they are the ones most likely to get into trouble for it. So, they just come to me.

I walk toward the door and start a slow jog back over to the training field. I need to hit the gym and punch something that won’t actually get hurt if I put my full rage into it. I know they are following me, but at a distance. They have at least picked up on when I need some time to myself. It doesn’t mean that they actually leave me alone, they just don’t try to engage and I have stopped trying to

run and hide from them when I am upset. I just kind of shut down verbally. It’s only been about six months since we have been hanging out and I still find myself overwhelmed at all of them being around all of the time. There are times when I do miss the quiet and peace of being by myself.

I make the effort not to rip the door open as I reach the entrance to the gym attached to the main training grounds. I’m not here much since I prefer to train outdoors no matter the weather. But the weights and the punching bags are a great way to release pent up frustrations quickly. Also the guys can all be here with me without being in my way or in my space. It’s the best compromise I can give them. I walk over to the stereo and hook up my phone and blast the loudest, most aggressive rock playlist I have. The guitar and drums fuel my irritation and help me channel the rage that has been slowly building up as the year has gone on.

I walk to the wall and grab a spare set of wraps for my hands and begin the irritatingly long process of wrapping my knuckles. I prefer the MMA wraps to boxing gloves, it’s closer to the real thing and I tend to not overdo it since the pain comes more quickly. I get one done and struggle with the other since it’s my off hand. Without a word large hands grab the wrap and my hand and begin the process of securing my knuckles. I don’t look up, I don’t have to, each of these guys brings me comfort in their own ways. Oliver is the one who showed me how to wrap properly so I did less damage to my hands. He always makes sure I’m safe, but never tries to stop me from letting out my anger in a constructive way. That’s the part of me he seems to understand and can sympathize with. When he’s finished, he just turns and walks away, leaving me to my thoughts.

 

Chapter 0093

Chapter 0093 I begin a slow warm up keeping my back to them, I don 't need to see worried gazes. Circling my arms and stretching, then shadow boxing before fully turning to the bag is all that I need, my body still pretty loose from the workout we finished only a couple hours ago. I go through a series of punches that Oliver taught me, then move on to kicks. I have no idea how long I have been at it, but I feel a tap on my shoulder and I turn, seeing Dakota with a set of hand bags. He also says nothing, just holds up his covered hands. He's trying to bring me back to the group, one person at a time.

I follow his cues with the bags, punching and kicking as fast and hard as possible. I then feel another tap and see Cameron behind me with another set of hand bags. They are turning this into a two on one now. I don't think, I just go with it. Pm learning to trust them more and more.

I still don't tell them everything, I don 't think they will ever learn about all of the bullying, it's been too much for too long. But, I'm not actively trying to shut them all out anymore.

Eventually Sam, Oliver and my brother all join so I'm surrounded, taking cues from each direction. They know that I need to burn out whatever emotions are coursing through me, even if they have no idea what or wthy. Finally, when I am a panting, sweaty mess I drop my arms and just look around at my friends. My playlist ran out long ago, so it is just silent other than the sound of our heavy breathing. I walk to my brother and put my forehead on his massive chest. He wraps me up in a tight hug and kisses the top of my head then lets me go. Sierra walks up to me and throws her arm around my shoulder.

"Let's go, we all need to shower and I need a serious meal after the last three hours. You sure know how to make me earn my meals girl. "Oh Goddess! I didn't realize how long I kept you here. You didn't have to stay with me." I groaned

as I took off the, now soaked, hand wraps and threw them in the laundry bin. "I know you all have other things you could be doing. You don't have to babysit me, it's not like I go far." I giggle at my own joke, but I seem to be the Only one who thinks it's funny. "Little Bit, we aren't babysitting you. We upset you. And I'm leaning more towards pissed you off based on the way my hands feel after that beating. You really hold back during training, don't you?" I chuckle as Sam dramatically shakes his hands. I didn't hit them that hard. "I'm sure everyone feels the same, but I worry about you when you go all silent treatment. You're actually really scary." I just roll my eyes. "Kaley hates me, she wants to be Luna and she thinks I am a problem. She is actively trying to remove any problems to her goal." I shrug and leave it at that. They have been better about paying attention to the pack members and have shut down a lot of the unnecessary bullying that has been happening, but they have still never seen Kaley in action. "She still won't do anything to you, she's not that stupid. She knows that we care about you, she wouldn't risk getting on our bad side by hurting you." Kota chimes in as we make our way to the truck. I share a look with Sierra, she's guessed and tried to get me to admit that Kaley is behind the worst of my torture, but I still won 't confirm or deny it. Climbing into our usual places, Sierra mutters, You'd be surprised what some people will do for a position of power." Either the guys don't hear, or they don't know how to respond, they just stay silent. Just as we all get settled all of our phones go off. Luna Ava: Tell Skylar to stop training you all to death and all of you get to the packhouse. Be showered and dressed nicely in 30 minutes. I have clothes for the girls, they can get ready with me.

Chapter 0094 Oliver: Yes ma' am Sam: Do you love the girls more than me now? Kota: *thumbs up* emoji Cam: We'll see you soon Mateo: On our way "We are all together, why do you all respond?" Sierra asks, looking up from her phone. I was thinking the same thing. All the guys let out a little laugh. "What?" I askas our phones ping again. Luna Ava: Girls? "She wants confirmation from all of us. She found out the hard way that some of us pretend like we don't get the message and claim plausible deniability. Cam laughs. "It was one time! And she won't let it go." Sam exclaims. "And now we all suffer, if we don't all respond. It's her proof, so none of us can get out of anything with her." Oliver rolls his eyes next to me. Another ping. Luna Ava: GIRLS! Me: With the guys, on our way now. Sierra: See you! We are all laughing as we pull into the garage not a minute after sending our responses. Sierra and I rush upstairs to the Luna's floor and she is waiting for us outside the elevator. "Quickly, into the shower please. We have no time to lose." She claps her hands pushing both of us towards the bathroom. "And give me those things, you have been training most Of the day, they are disgusting. We both laugh at her. "You two are as bad as the "Don't blame me, Luna Ava, blame the tyrant over here. She's trying to get noticed by the warriors so she can get recruited and get out of here." Sierra blurts out as we both undress and drop our

clothes in a pile, stepping into the already warm shower heads. I have definitely lost my shyness with these two. I still make sure my scars are covered at all times but the guys have seen them now, so I'm not as afraid if my shirt rides up. But, the looks they get when I catch them staring at my injuries, that guilt is something I don 't enjoy. "What? Sky, you really want to leave? What about your mate and graduating school? n She leans against the sink, crossing her arms like she's stealing herself for bad news. "They don 't start taking trainees until junior year, so I won't even qualify until next year at the earliest, since technically I'm ahead in school. I just want to get on their radar, Warrior Nikolas said that anyone in high school could do the trials. That it would give me a baseline for what the warriors might be looking for in the future. "But that training is two years, what would the boys do without you?" "They didn't even notice me until this year and I have literally been around them my whole life. Truthfully, they will probably score more dates if they weren't hanging out with me. I've been thinking about doing the warrior training for a long time. There really isn't much available to me as the beta's second child and daughter. I can finish high school while training and even do college courses so I won't be delaying anything or holding myself back. There are a lot of reasons for me to go and do this." "Is your father one of those reasons?" I could hear the clip in her words. "He's not NOT a reason. I want to go and do something with myself, use my skills to make other people better. And if I go now, then I will be back by the time I turn eighteen and am ready and able to find my mate." I try to sound cheerful at the prospect. I turn off the water and we step out to her holding towels, looking lost in thought. I wrap the towel around me and grab her hands making her look at me. "I promise, I'm not trying to run away, but I have to try this, I need to do something that makes me feel accomplished and right now I don't have that. I promise that I will come back" I look her straight in the eyes for a moment before she pulls me in for a tight hug.

 

Chapter 0095 She shakes her head as she releases me. "Okay, we have to get you both dolled up a bit, this is not our usual casual dinner. Let's get started on your hair and make-up." She claps, changing the subject abruptly. We spend the next twenty minutes brushing, drying, curling, and applying to the Luna's specifications. Then she put us both in light sleeveless maxi dresses. Mine was a navy blue with a deep 'V' in the front and wide straps over my shoulders. She pulled the ribbon at the empire waist tight, accentuating the small amount of curves I have. Sierra's was a deep muted red, bringing out the color of her hair and eyes. The thin spaghetti straps looked like they would give with any wrong movement. We both had comfortable wedges that matched. As we are doing a final look in the mirror, Luna Ava walks out in a pristine white cocktail dress complete with dainty chandelier earrings and grecian sandals with straps wrapped around her ankles. "Wow! You look amazing." Sierra beamed at her. "What? This old thing?" She laughs at us. "Actually this is my favorite dress, I have it in every color. It's so comfy and I can dress it up or down. "Speaking of, why are we dressing up? Your backyard barbecues have never been fancy before?" I look at her in the mirror. "We have some special guests tonight, and we are right on time to annoy all of the men! She giggled like a teenager. She leads us through the sitting room to the elevator. It dings and we all step in. "How are we annoying the guys?" Sierra asks, looking just as amused. "I told them to be ready in thirty minutes. It's been an hour and a half. And they had all better be waiting with bated breath for our arrival." We laugh at her dramatics. "If I told them how long they really had, they would have taken their time to get you two back to me and I couldn't have that. The elevator dings and comes to a stop. The doors open to the hallway just off the kitchen and we

can hear lots of chatter. "Luna Ava, what's going on? Who's here?" I ask, a little worried I shouldn't be here. "With the trials tomorrow we have a few guests, so I am hosting a little get together to introduce everyone." She is super vague. She's never been purposefully vague with us before. What is going on? We follow the sounds of the voices into the kitchen and it is a sight. The Alpha is in a navy blue suit with a white button down shirt, no tie, and the top button undone. Looking business casual. The rest of the pack leaders are dressed similarly, all dark suits and white shirts. They looklike they just got done with a business meeting. Delta Gwen has a beautiful dark purple cocktail dress on. I don't know if I have ever seen her dressed with heels on before. I always thought she was pretty, but she is gorgeous in this halter dress that shows off all her strong muscles, but she doesn't look unfeminine. And don 't get me started on her black lace up heels. They look like a soft material and go up tall past her ankle with thick straps lacing the front. Once I stop drooling over Delta Gwen's shoes, I notice all the guys are in dress slacks and button down shirts. The twins, who don't usually dress alike, are in matching silver gray shirts with black pants that have a shine to them. The silver of the shirt highlights their very different eye colors, but makes them brighter somehow. Oliver is in all black as usual, his sleeves rolled up showing off the corded muscles of his forearms and the tattoos that are slowly beginning to crawl down his arms. Sam is ina soft pink shirt, showing off his flamboyant nature without being overwhelming. My brother is in a navy blue shirt that oddly seems to match my dress and slate gray pants.

Everything fits these guys to perfection. Man it just got hot in here. These boys are out of their usual attire so this must be really important. AsI finish my assessment of the people I know, I find three that are unfamiliar to me standing at the far end of the kitchen talking with Warrior Nickloas and Warrior Thomas. Before I can question the Luna, we are noticed by Alpha Lucas.

Chapter 0096 "Ladies! Now I understand the wait, you all look beautiful." The Alpha comes over to us and wraps his arm around Luna Ava, whispering something in her ear that makes her blush and Sierra and I giggle. "Let me introduce you to our guests for the next few days. Alpha King Reginald and Luna Queen Anne and their eldest son Prince Alexander. He motions to each as they are introduced. I could feel my pulse quicken. The Alpha King is here? And we are meeting him. What in the hell am I supposed to do? I have no idea how to behave with royalty, this is not what I train for. All this high and mighty, classy stuff is not where I belong. I feel like I was set up and this is why the Luna said nothing about who we were meeting. I feel a hand wrap around my upper arm. "Breathe child, it's okay." Luna Ava whispers in my ear. "They are here for the trials and since you all live here anyway we wanted to make introductions in a less public way. She finishes out to the group at large before steering us over to the Luna Queen and the prince. 'Queen Anne, I want to introduce you to Sierra and Skylar. They are some of our best fighters and brightest students. 'Oh my! Are these the two who gave you a run for your money Nickolas?" Her sweet voice carries over the room and everyone goes quiet at her question, making me more nervous. "Yes ma'am. I've never had students with such natural talent and quick to pick up new skills. That little firecracker even left me with a couple bruises to help me remember her by." He and Warrior Thomas laugh. My eyes go wide. I didn't Imowl left bruises on him, he never said I was training too rough. My face is heating more than ever. If I get any more embarrassed, Pm going to look like a tomato. "Don't look so shocked dear, It is a compliment that you were able to fight him off let alone leave proof. He has been without a real opponent for a while now. I can't wait to see what you'll do when you are fully trained." The Alpha King chuckles at me. I give him a small smile, I have no other reply. How do you respond to a compliment like that? At least I think it was a complement. "And Sierra, my dear, how have you been? I know spending the year here was not the most ideal

situation, but you seem to have made yourself right at home. have sir, thankyou." She just smiles backat him. I forgot that she actually lives in his pack and her parents work closely with him. That is why she isn't nervous, this is nothing new for her. "Wait, you took on Nickolas? And beat him?" The prince finally speaks up. He has a deeper voice, commanding, but unsure. Like he is still growing into it. He can't be much older than us by the 100k Of his face, but he is already massive. Bigger than all the guys. That has to be the Alpha King genes at work

I thought the twins were big guys, but he has to be pushing six and a half feet if not more and at least three of me wide. He has dark blonde hair with some natural highlights indicating he spends a good amount of time outside. His brown eyes are kind and searching, like he is looking into your soul. He had a toned face and sharp jawline. You can see the muscle he has packed on, even through his three piece forest green suit. He is very handsome. I'm sure like our guys, he has girls fawning all over him. I fight an eye roll at all of them and their good looks.

I just nod my head at his question like an idiot, since I can't seem to form words in their presence. I can feel his body heat radiating off of him and it is comforting and intimidating all at the same time. “My friend is just modest, she is the best warrior in the pack. She's even better than our Delta and his current trainers.” Sierra looks at Delta Kyle and winks.

Chapter 0097 "She's not wrong." He confirms walking over to us. This girl puts me to shame as far as her training time each day goes and she does it all while maintaining her extremely high grades and helping me train our pups. "Really?" Prince Alexander asks.

"I just like to train, that's all. I shrug my shoulders. "It's really not that big a deal. I don't like a lot of down time."

Saved by LunaAva calling us to the formal dining room, we all head that way. The long rectangular table is set beautifully with a white linen table cloth and a gold runner down the middle. Low candle and flower arrangements are dispersed along the runner , low enough that conversation can be had across the table.

The food smells delicious as always set in silver warmers on a buffet along a back wall with omegas waiting to serve us. I have never seen anything so fancy in my whole life. I grab Sierra's hand silently pleading for her to stay close to me. She gives my hand a little squeeze and then smiles at me. As we make our way around the table a soft hand touches the small of my back.

"Would you mind sitting next to me? I would love to hear more about what you and your pack does with training your young pups." Alexander is really close to my ear. I hear a huff, but when I look around Pm not sure who it came from. I nod my head. "Sure, I would love to hear more about the Elite Warrior training and some of the battle strategies you use." He

does not remove his hand from my back, instead guiding me to the end of the table where the Alpha King and Luna Queen are standing.

"Does everyone have a seat? Perfect! Let's eat." Luna Ava moves around her chair as Alpha Lucas holds it for her. The Alpha King does the same for his queen. Alexander holds my chair for me and Sam has Sierra's next to me. The rest of the guys wait until all the ladies are seated before they take their own. It's so strange to watch them in such a formal setting and to know the protocols like it's second nature.

Our first course is soup and I am so hungry I don't really pay attention to anything around me, catching bits of different conversations here and there, but my focus is on slowly eating, so I don't look like a barbarian, until I have finished my whole bowl.

When 1 100k up, I notice the rest Of my friends have finished theirs as well. We are all famished after the extra training I made them do. I kind of feel bad now. "So how do you get your pups to train? Nicholas says you start with them at five years old. Alexander looks at me from my right.

I can see Nickolas and Thomas across from me waiting for my answer too. "We turn everything into games mostly. They love the idea of challenges so we time everything or give them a number to hit and they have goals each week. We have also adapted a lot of normal games to fit with what we want for training like Tag, Capture the Flag, Hide and Seek, things like that. It seems to work for us." I shrug again like, it 's nothing.

"Let's be clear, she adapts the games to fit what I want them to learn each week. They also seem to like that she is closer to them in age. She's only ten years older than our youngest pup. They respond better to her than adult trainers most of the time." Delta Kyle adds to the conversation from next to Warrior Thomas. "We all have our strengths and weaknesses as trainers, hers is keeping the young ones engaged and wanting to return.

would love to see that sometime. Alexander smiles at me.

"Sure, the training is open for anyone to come watch. I smile back and I swear I hear a low rumble. Alexander's eyes lift from mine to look over my shoulder at someone, but when I follow his line of sight no one is looking our way.

Dinner continues with a salad course, then the main course with steak, asparagus, mashed potatoes and the most melt-in-your-mouth dinner rolls I have ever had. The conversation flows easily and I really like the Alpha King and Luna Queen, they seem so much more down to earth than I thought they would be. I hear a little more about Elite Warrior training and about the ranked training the boys go through. It was fun to hear stories from the Alpha King about all my guys and Prince Alexander from their time together. It was strange when I noticed how far away all my guys were though. It didn't hit me right away since I was so interested in hearing from the prince and Warrior Nickolas and Warrior Thomas about training.

Chapter 0098 The Alpha King sat at the head of the table on our end, the Luna Queen to his left and Prince Alexander to his right. Warriors Nickolas and Thomas sat next to the Luna Queen and Delta Kyle and Gwen next to them. Oliver, Kota and Luna Ava finished out their side of the table.

I am next to prince Alexander, Sierra to my right, followed by Sam, Gamma Brett, Mateo, our father and Cam. At the other head of the table is Alpha Lucas. I have to wonder if we were purposely spread out.

As we are being served dessert, a luscious chocolate cake with chocolate drizzle and vanilla ice cream on the side, Sierra addresses the prince next to me. '[so, prince Alexander, are you done with school now? What are your next big plans since you don't seem to be jumping at the throne right away?" I look at her wide-eyed. That was kind of a bold question to ask the prince.

He just laughs. "No, I don plan to overthrow my father anytime soon, he's doing just fine. And it's Xander to my friends." He looks at her then at me before continuing. "I have graduated and I am eighteen, so my next big taskis to find my mate and the next Luna Queen." He looks at me again for a little too long. I look away then around the room and Oliver and Kota do not lookhappy, but are trying to hide it. Xander clears his throat, but I don't look back at him when he continues. "I plan to travel a bit, get to know the packs in our Idngdom and continue training with my father."

"That's the taskof all leaders isn't it? Find the mate the Goddess designed for you, to make you the strongest and best you can be." The Alpha King says breaking the little tension that has developed in the room, slapping his son on the shoulder.

'[Why don't we have drinks on the patio?" Luna Ava asks the group at large once we are all done with dessert. "I would Luna, but I have a series of trials to set up in the morning, I think we are going to call it a night." Delta Kyle stands and helps his mate up. "Sam, are you staying tonight?"

"probably. We will head over to the trials together in the morning, and no Little Bit none of us are training in the morning, including you. We have done so much extra training, my clothes don't fit." He holds up his arms and flexes in his dress shirt, which is threatening to shred any second. The rest of the guys, Sierra and I laugh. He's not wrong though.

For being the leanest he has probably added 20 more pounds of muscle since they have started keeping up with my training schedule. The rest of the guys have gained too, but it's just more noticeable on Sam.

We all start to get up and head toward the back patio. You made them all look like that?" Xander asks, surprised. "No, they made themselves look like that, by keeping a training schedule that just happens to match mine.

"Don't be modest, Bite Size. You kick our asses now and we have all improved. We had to get better if we didn't want to be shown up by you at every turn. Oliver walks next to me and throws a possessive arm over my shoulder. "This is definitely your fault." He gives me a rare half smile. This one is less sweet and more like he's up to something though.

"You all seem to call her something different. How endearing, does that bother you at all?" Xander looks at me from my other side, Oliver's arm still firmly planted on my shoulder as we make our way to the covered patio seating. Xander sounds a little like he's trying to gaslight the guys.

Chapter 0099 "Not really. It started as a joke and then just stuck. They aren 't making fun of me, just stating the obvious size difference and now that all of them have put on more muscle it's even worse and I don't think any of them are done growing, but I'm pretty sure I am. I roll my eyes at Sierra who laughs.

Once we catch up to everyone else Kota grabs me around the waist and pulls me onto his lap. Cam is on one side of him, Mateo takes the other. Sam sits next to Cam pulling Sierra into his lap and I can feel Oliver come up behind Kota and I. There is no room for Xander to sit anywhere near me now. I can't decide if the gesture is cute or frustrating. What is going on? I link all five of them. He's just getting too close for comfort. Kota responds. I chance a look at Sierra and see she is fighting a smile. This whole situation is totally funny to her, so it can't be all bad right? Yours or mine? I'm feeling a little feisty right now and go with it based on her reaction. Both. Oliver's clipped reply. I just roll my eyes. He just got too comfortable too fast. And like he said, he's looking for his mate, he's going to snuggle up to any single female right now. If Cam is trying to placate me with logic, he just lost. So you are saying he's doing to me what you guys do with every other female? I have no intentions of being led on, and it's a good idea to become friends with the future Alpha King. And what guy says snuggle'? No response. I get up from Kota's lap. "Where are you going?" He jumps forward to try and grab my hand but I pull out of his reach before he can. "The bathroom. Is that okay with you? Oris my leash not that long? n I say calmly and raise my eyebrow at them, looking each of the six guys in the eye, challenging what they are doing openly. No one replies. I look at Sierra, silently asking for her to join She gets up smiling the biggest smile ever. Oliver moves to followus. I point at him, "Nope, you sit

down. And if any of you try to follow me I will throat punch you into the pool. As I start to turn Xander makes a move to get up. "You too, sit down. You all can finish your pissing match while we're gone. I roll my eyes and Sierra openly laughs now and I think I heard laughter come from the adults sitting on the other side of the patio. Sierra and I walk into the house and straight toward the stairs. I know there are bathrooms on the main floor, but I have to figure out what is going on and I can't do that where everyone can hear me. We head straight up to my room. "What the hell was all of that?" I ask her as soon as my door is closed and locked for good measure. "Your boys are jealous. You have never talked to a guy outside of our group before." "What do you mean? I talk to guys at training all the time." I rub my forehead. "Not like this. This time it was a guy, your age, openly flirting with you and they got a rude awakening. They like you in this little bubble and you keep talking about wanting to leave, this was the first time that idea was something real for them and they went into possessive mode. Also, I don't think any of them have ever been jealous before. It's an amusing look on them." 'I don't understand, we are all just friends. No guy has ever looked at me before because I am nothing to look at, this is so weird. I have no idea wthat I am doing. He was flirting?" My voice went up an octave asking the question and pacing around my room. "Oh, my poor sheltered girl. I don't understand how you don't see it. The guys are not the only ones who have changed. You just don't lookin the mirror much. You are gorgeous and strong and smart and independent. You are probably the only girl who hasn 't thrown yourself at any of them, the prince included. You treat them like normal people, you don't fawn over them like celebrities. You don't want anything from them, but their friendship. You aren't afraid to publicly humiliate them, it's refreshing for them. I'm sure, just now, was the first time someone, who isn 't his mother, has put the prince in his place in front of other people. Same for the guys. No one tells them 'no' or to stay put. You are on fire tonight." She starts laughing again.

 

Chapter 0100 "Okay, but what do I do about it? And stop laughing at rne_ This is so weird." I flop back on my bed, my long hair fanning out around me. have no experience with boys like this, give me training and beating the crap out of them any day. "Well, you can go down, sit back on Kota's lap, or whoever caveman's you first and keep having awkward conversations or we can go talk to the adults and make the boys sweat and get their acts together. Eitherway, Pm going to enjoy myself." "Ugh! Let's go." I have no idea what I am going to do with her suggestion, but once we get back outside, my decision is made for me. "Skylar! Come here, kiddo, I have a question." We turn and walk towards the adults, leaving the boys watching out retreating backs. "What do you know about border security?" Warrior Nickolas asks when we are close enough. "A little, I run our border every day and see patrols. I know some areas are more heavily monitored than others. I guess it all depends on the terrain, if the territory on the outside of the borders is open or belongs to a neighboring pack, things like that. Why? I know our territory is a bit different since we are surrounded by water on most sides. I sit in a chair next to him at their table, Slerra next to me. It's almost strange to not be in someone's lap. "Let me put a hypothetical scenario out there and see what you think " He spends about ten minutes moving things from the table around giving me general topography. Furthest from me is a mountain range with a lake at the base, what he called the packhouse is to the left of the lake, butting up to the curved end of the range. He hesitated when he said 'packhouse' so this is code for something important. From the packhouse he describes different structures that fan out towards a forest line, like a sun burst. Just beyond the forest line are small clearings, miles apart, each with a different function, but he didn 't elaborate on that. '[so the dilemma is rogue attacks are corning at different times and from different locations. How would you set up patrols to guard an area like this?"

"That's it?! That's all the info and you want a full patrol schedule?" He just nods his head with a little smirk on his face. Alpha Lucas and the Alpha King are both watching intently givlng nothing away. Okay, I 'Il bite, it's like a pop quizin battle strategy class. I shift forward going into warrior mode. "How many are on patrol at any given time. "You can have as many as you think you would need to run rotations." Again, vague. Apparently I am being tested. Alright, let's see. "Well, there are a lot of variables that I don't have that would help in this situation." I look at him sternly. "For instance what is the mountain range like? Is it all forest and trees? Easy to climb? If that is the case then I would put up watch structures with motion sensors a minimum of a mile out and go up to five miles if the terrain is easy considering how close the pacmouse is to the base of the mountain. If it's all rock and pretty open, less patrol would need to be done from the mountain itself since it could be monitored from the ground and extra resources could be used elsewhere, but motion sensors in both cases would be helpful. I would also run patrols around the lake and have more or less depending on visibility, but it being at the base of the mountain would make it easy for an enemy to sit in the caves and crevices of the mountain and observe across the lake without being seen and the water would dim or mask the scent. I grab a drink of water as I analyze the 'forest' portion of his example. I am really getting into my territory dissection, this is way more my speed than all the flirting talk.